Marcos Baghdatis competes in Australian Open legends event for first time

·

Cypriot tennis player, Marcos Baghdatis, has returned to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open 2023 Legends competition for the first time.

Baghdatis won the Australian Open boys’ singles title in 2003 and almost replicated that result in the men’s singles competition three years later, memorably advancing to the Australian Open 2006 final against Roger Federer.

The 37-year-old, who made his last Australian Open appearance in 2019, is partnering two-time Grand Slam finalist, Mark Phillippoussis, at this year’s Legends competition.

The dynamic duo played their first exhibition doubles match on Sunday against six-time Australian Open doubles champions Mike and Bob Ryan, who returned to Melbourne Park for the first time since their 2020 retirement.

Baghdatis and Philippoussis lost the first set 6-1 and made a better fist of it in the second set, but ultimately lost 6-1 6-4 to the American brothers.

The match wasn’t without drama as Philippoussis accidently hit a nearby ballkid during the first set. Trailing 5-1 in the first set, Philippoussis raced off the court during a rally to try and hit a backhand back in play.

He was aiming to flick the ball around the net but the ballkid, kneeling in position, was in the firing line and copped the ball to the body under their armpit.

Philippoussis, known as The Scud, gave the ball girl a fake angry look and a hug and she gave a big smile and shook it off.

This year’s Legends competition gives fans the chance to see some of the sport’s most popular players from the past in action at Melbourne Park from Sunday 22 January – Thursday 26 January.

The competition consists of a random number of rounds where the team with the most wins is crowned champion.

Baghdatis and Philippoussis will next play Tommy Haas and Radek Stepanek this week.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Greek Sydney real estate agent charged in bikie-linked drug probe

A Greek real estate agent in Sydney's Inner West has been arrested in connection with a Comanchero-linked criminal syndicate.

Mark Dymiotis to give lecture in Melbourne on the Mediterranean diet

La Trobe University’s Greek Studies Program will present a lecture by Mark Dymiotis on the Mediterranean diet on Thursday, November 2.

Tsiknopempti: What is it and why do we celebrate?

Tsiknopempti is the last day Greek Orthodox faithful are allowed to eat meat before they begin their Lenten fast for Easter.